HOLLYWOOD, California - In 1984, Apple launched the Macintosh computer, “Terms of Endearment” was the Best Picture and Band Aid released “Do They Know It’s Christmas” to fight famine in Ethiopia.

Another noteworthy event happened in 1984: Huntsville's Paul McDonald was born in Auburn to Dave and Susan McDonald.

Wednesday night, McDonald will join the other Top 12 “American Idol” contestants and sing a song from the year he was born. The show, which starts at 7 p.m. on WZDX-TV, will feature the 12 singers performing, followed by America voting. The results will be given on Thursday’s show, also starting at 7 p.m., and one contestant will be voted off.

Maybe appropriately, McDonald’s parents and sister Beth will be in the audience to support Paul and celebrate 1984. That year, these songs were in Billboard Magazine’s Top 5:

1. “When Doves Cry” - Prince

2. “What's Love Got To Do With It” - Tina Turner

3. “Say Say Say” - Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson

4. “Footloose” - Kenny Loggins

5. “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” - Phil Collins

So, will McDonald, 26, a Huntsville High School graduate who attended Auburn, be getting his voice ready for those high pitches in “When Doves Cry"? Or, adding a few fancy dance moves to the ones he's already shown - the chicken wing - for "Footloose"?

"Yeah, some people have said it would be cool to do 'Footloose,'" McDonald said in a phone interview last week from Hollywood.

"Last week, I did Ryan Adams ('Come Pick Me Up') and that was under radar of mainstream music, but this week it's going to be a classic tune that most folks know."

McDonald said there are some good songs from '84, including some Bruce Springsteen tunes like "Born in the U.S.A." Of course, it’s really hard to predict what McDonald might sing. Besides Rod Stewart’s "Maggie May" and Adams' song, he also sang one of The Grand Magnolias' original tunes, "The American Dream." McDonald is the lead singer for the Nashville-based Grand Magnolias.

"Yeah, it’s one of those things, I’ve gotten to the point where I’m being myself and sticking to my guns," McDonald said. "I knew Ryan Adams would be under the radar, but he’s an artist I enjoy and I think our writing styles are similar.

"It’s cool having this sudden fame and notoriety for the show. So, I figure while I’m up here I’ll introduce folks to some music outside the box. That’s where I’ve been the last five years - one of those up and coming acts - and I’m trying to help other artists, although Ryan Adams doesn’t need any help.

"I want to get people out of their box, although for this week it will be a classic song everybody knows. I stepped out of the box, now I’m stepping back in it."